About pairing

Depending on your model, the pairing procedure might differ a bit. In this article, we’ll introduce a few pairing procedures as an example.

You can always check your help guide or manual to verify the pairing procedure, which applies to your specific model. The Help Guides and Manuals are available on your product page on this support website.

Try NFC first

A quick & easy way to pair, is to use NFC (Near Field Communication). Many car audio units come with NFC. You can recognise it by the following logo:

Most Android phones are by default equipped with NFC. They may feature a similar logo somewhere on the back of the phone.

Be sure NFC is enabled in your smartphone settings and try to touch both NFC logos to activate NFC pairing sequence.

Remember the maximum range for NFC is about a centimetre of distance!

Approval messages will appear on the mobile phone screen. Proceed to approve these pop-up screens to finalise the pairing process.

If your smartphone or car audio does not have NFC, pair the devices by using the regular

How to pair my car audio unit for the first time

Example: DSX models

Press CALL, and rotate the control dial to select [SET PAIRING], then press it. The Bluetooth symbol will flash while the unit is in pairing mode. That means it should be detectable by your smartphone.

Once you see the car audio unit in the Bluetooth device list of your smartphone, select [DSX-XXXX] (your model name)

If your car audio unit doesn’t immediately appear, quickly turn Bluetooth OFF and ON again on your phone.

Sometimes devices ask for a PIN (or a password or something similar). The default PIN is 0000.

Example: MEX models

Press Menu

Rotate the control Dial and select [Bluetooth], then press it

Rotate the control dial to select [SET PAIRING], then press it

Rotate the control dial to select [SET DEVICE 1] or [SET DEVICE 2], then press it.

If your car audio unit doesn’t immediately appear, quickly turn Bluetooth OFF and ON again on your phone. Check if the unit appears now.

Sometimes devices ask for a PIN (or a password or something similar). The default PIN is 0000.

Bluetooth troubleshooting

I can't find my car audio unit in the Bluetooth menu of my smartphone

Turn your smartphone’s Bluetooth function OFF and back ON and check if it appears in the Bluetooth device list.

Do the same with the Car Audio Unit. Quickly hop out of pairing mode and try again while continuing the Bluetooth search with your smartphone.

Check if your car audio unit isn’t mistakenly connected to another device. Once connected it will not be visible to other Bluetooth devices.

Reset your car audio unit.

I’ve successfully connected in the past, but it doesn’t work anymore

Make sure you’ve updated your Car audio unit to the latest firmware. Check the firmware section of your product page, available on this support website.
Tip: You can install the Support by Sony mobile app on your phone and bookmark your specific Car audio head unit, to be notified when a firmware updated is released for your product!

“Forget” the Car audio unit information in your smartphone. You can delete pairing information in the Bluetooth settings of your smartphone and some car audio models. Pairing both devices again might solve this issue.

Check if your car audio unit isn’t mistakenly connected to another device. If it is, it will not be visible to other Bluetooth devices.

If you’ve connected with many other Bluetooth devices recently, old pairing information might have been automatically removed. Usually, your smartphone will only hold up to 8 different Bluetooth devices.

I’ve successfully connected but there is no sound?

Depending on your Car audio model, you might have to select a different output channel (e.g. Bluetooth audio)